Page 58 of Three for a Girl

“For how long?”

“I don’t know, minute, ten seconds.”

“Your partner—”

“Boyfriend.”

“Your boyfriend didn’t tell you for how long?”

Chad shook his head and averted his gaze.

“When did it happen?”

“Last night.”

“Any tiredness? Dizziness? Have you lost consciousness again?”

“I’ve not passed out again. Tired, headache, achy throat.”

“Sickness?”

Chad nodded as his stomach gurgled.

Carter frowned, looking past Chad to his car in a field. “Confusion?”

“No, I don’t feel confused.”

“But you drove to the middle of nowhere … because?”

“I was exploring.”

“Barefooted?”

Carter pressed his lips together in a grim smile, humming.

“Over the counter painkillers to keep the swelling down. Smalls sips of water throughout the day. Plenty of rest—

“I can’t rest, I’m working a case.”

“The bruising will become more obvious, darker.”

“Maybe it’s not a cold at all, maybe it’s an allergic reaction to something.”

Carter snorted. “Okay, Chad. If you need any stronger pain relief for your ‘reaction,’ come find me at the hospital, understand?”

“I will.”

“There’s the recovery vehicle.” Carter said.

Its amber lights flashed as it approached. Carter sighed, slipping his phone away.

“Are you going to be all right getting home?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry about the car.”

Carter shrugged. “I’ve got plenty more of them.”

“Yeah?”

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